Vehicle Description
1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan
The 1936 Cord is counted as the most striking and innovative car of
its time. Mechanically it was way ahead of its peers. Cord was the
first mass-production auto offered with front-wheel drive. The
elimination of the rear drive train allowed the car to be so low,
running boards were unnecessary. It also featured an "alligator"
style hood hinged at the rear, "coffin" front-end styling,
concealed door hinges, and teardrop shaped fenders. The
disappearing headlights are individually raised and lowered by
hand-cranks located on the dash in front of the driver and
passenger. Many of these features influenced other manufacturers'
designs in the years ahead. When it was unveiled at the New York
Auto Show in November 1935, this car caused a sensation.
Unfortunately, with so many new features that had not been
adequately tested in advance, the Cord gained a reputation for
being gorgeous, but unreliable. Thanks to the Heritage Museum for
the info.
For consignment, from a 90-year-old collector who does not have it
in him to restore this wonderfully innovative car, a 1936 Cord 810
Westchester. Many modern-day features are within this car's design,
not the least of which is front wheel drive. Very stylish, very low
to the ground and just a beautiful line throughout, this car will
need some TLC on the bodywork, and mechanicals particularly the
electrics.
Exterior
The Model 810/812 are probably the best-known of the company's
products. Styled by Gordon M. Buehrig, this car features
front-wheel drive and independent front suspension. Having front
drive enabled the model 810 to be built so low, to render running
boards unnecessary. Something not often seen in the mid 1930s. The
car caused a sensation at the New York Auto Show in November 1935.
Orders were taken at the show with Cord promising Christmas
delivery, expecting production of 1,000 per month. Production
delays pushed the expected delivery date to February 1936. This
still proved optimistic - the first production vehicles were
actually delivered in April. In all, Cord managed to sell only
1,174 of the new 810 in its first model year. The car is well known
for its flat front nose with a horizontal louvered grille design
instead of the common radiator-style grille, that made its nose
resemble a coffin, earning it the nickname of "Coffin Nose". This
combined with the hidden headlight pontoon like fenders and long
flat area beneath the nose and fenders, it is a very unusual design
but nonetheless striking. A split windscreen which is swept
rearward, meets up with the rounded roofline that melts into the
back of the car via a split rear half oval back glass. The rear
fenders, also pontoon inspired, meet up with the downward sloping
trunk deck and end up on top of the rear bumper. 16 inch chromed
and polished steel wheels are rolled and wrapped with wide
whitewall tires. The condition of the exterior surfaces is rough in
spots, wear off of the silver paint, and some of the chrome
trimmings are showing some rust beginnings.
Interior
Inside, a royal blue felted broadcloth covers most all surfaces
including the lovey door panels. The doors are suicide doors with
the latch in the front of the door, and these doors have hidden
hinges something else not seen in other cars of this era. Shiny
window cranks and an actuator along with a painted silver frame
gives an expensive look. Inside a front bench also in royal blue
felted broadcloth sit in an upholstered curved arm tub. Silver
piping and a silver bolster separates the seat from the fronts. In
the back accessible by another set of doors, the curved arm rear
bench has the arms rust to the ceiling panels and surround the
window of the rear glass. More piping in silver and some worn blue
carpeting is noted in the back. The headliner is also blue
broadcloth with silver piping ribs where the panels are stitched
together. The dash is in blue with a large machined swirl pattern
panel to house the round instruments, bakelite knobs and throttle
and choke sliders. It is in a bit of a rough condition but no rust,
just very dirty. The select shifting is seen on this car and a
white painted but chipped off column and bog bakelite steering
wheel is noted. On the floor in front is a brick pattern linoleum
floor.
Drivetrain
Under the "Coffin Hood" is an original 288ci Lycoming V8 named
after the company out of Williamsport, Pennsylvania and
manufactures aircraft and automobile engines. It has a single
2-barrel carburetor and a 4-speed "select shift" semi-automatic
transmission. The rear axle is a hefty 4.30 gear ratio. This engine
presents in good condition and appears to be an earlier
restoration.
Undercarriage
Plenty of road dirt, some earlier rustproofing which is wearing off
and surface rust are noted underneath. A new fuel tank, lines, and
sending unit are installed. New drum brake linings are in, and
independent front and leaf spring rear suspension are on. Several
rubber hoses have also been replaced.
Drive-Ability
She started right and off to the test track I went. This car is
interesting to drive, as it no longer has the clutch start, but a
push button under the dash. With the clutch in I selected first
gear and we're off after letting out the clutch. To shift I moved
the selector on the column shifter to second, and when ready to go
to the next gear, press in the clutch, let it back out and Viola!
it works, and I'm now in second. The car shifted smoothly, had
decent braking and rides beautifully. Our consignor states it
should have a new wiring harness to make it more reliable, and the
carburetor could use a rebuild as should the generator.
A very interesting car of which not too many were sold due to the
depression. Plenty of stars of the era had a Cord, mostly the ones
that had the side pipes emanating from the side hood cowl. This one
is a very clean design, with hidden headlights that need cranked
but do rise to the occasion. Some TLC on the body and paint, and a
few mechanical brush ups and you're in business, moving picture
star style!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.